International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780252201401142249EN20140114Background:Leisure time activity is an important life-style habit. This study aims to determine the screen time ofa nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents.<br />Methods:This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted as <br />part ofthe fourth survey of a surveillance system. The participants consisted of 14880 students, with aged range from 6 to 18 years, living <br />in 30 provinces in Iran. Screen time, i.e. the time spent on watching television (TV)/video and computer games during leisure time, was assessed by using the questionnaire of the Globasl Student Health Survey of the World Health Organization.<br />Results:The study participants were 13486 school students (participation <br />rate of90.6%) with a mean age of12. 47 (3.36) years. Overall, 75.6% of students were from urban and 24.4% from rural areas and 50.8% were boys respectively. Overall, 33.4% and 53% of students watched TV/video more than 2 h a day in their leisure time during school days and holidays, respectively. Likewise, 6.3% and 10.9% of students used computer more than 2 h a day in their leisure time during the school days and holidays, respectively. Overall, 47.1% of urban students and 24.2% of rural students used personal computer in their leisure time during the school days. The corresponding figures were 50.8% and 27.2% in weekends and holidays, respectively.<br />Conclusions:The time spent on screen activities is long in a considerably high number of Iranian children and adolescents. It should be reduced <br />by increasing the public awareness and by providing facilities for regular daily physic activity for students&rsquo; leisure times.<br />Keywords:Children and adolescents, computer, Iran, television <br />watchinghttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1298http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1298/1364